The Coachella Valley is a great place to spend the holidays. The weather is good, the pace is different, and December is one of the most enjoyable months of the year here.

That said, a lot of visitors make the same small mistakes every holiday season. Not because they’re careless, but because the desert doesn’t behave the way people expect December to behave.

If you know what to avoid, the holidays here feel relaxed and easy. If you don’t, they can feel oddly frustrating for a place that’s supposed to be laid back.

Here are the most common holiday mistakes visitors make in the Coachella Valley — and how to avoid them.

1) Treating the holidays like a packed itinerary problem

One of the fastest ways to enjoy the Coachella Valley less is to overschedule it.

Visitors often try to stack too many activities into each day, especially around Christmas and New Year’s. The desert doesn’t reward that approach. Distances are larger than they look, traffic can spike unexpectedly, and many of the best moments here happen when you leave space.

How to avoid it: Pick one main thing per day. Build everything else around it loosely. Walking, wandering, and sitting somewhere pleasant are not wasted time here.

2) Waiting too long to make holiday reservations

There’s a persistent myth that Palm Springs is quiet during the holidays. It isn’t.

Seasonal residents are back, visitors arrive steadily through December, and restaurants fill up faster than many people expect. This comes up constantly in TripAdvisor reviews from travelers who assumed they could “figure it out later.”

How to avoid it: If you care about a specific restaurant, brunch spot, or Christmas Day meal, book ahead. Flexibility is great, but wishful thinking is not a plan.

3) Assuming Christmas Day works like it does back home

Christmas Day in the Coachella Valley is quieter, simpler, and more outdoors-focused than many visitors expect.

Some restaurants are closed, others offer limited menus, and the overall pace slows noticeably. Visitors who try to force a full schedule often end up disappointed, while those who lean into a slower day tend to enjoy it.

How to avoid it: Think brunch, a walk, a scenic drive, or time outdoors. One solid plan beats three half-working ones.

4) Underestimating how walkable parts of Palm Springs are

Another common mistake is defaulting to driving everywhere.

In areas like downtown Palm Springs, the Tennis Club neighborhood, and parts of Uptown, walking is often easier and more enjoyable than hopping in a car. During the holidays, this becomes even more true.

How to avoid it: When possible, park once and walk. This is especially true for events like the Walk of the Inns, which is designed to be experienced on foot.

5) Expecting the desert to feel like winter

This one trips people up every year.

The holidays here are warm, bright, and sunlit. There are lights and decorations, but the atmosphere is fundamentally different from cold-weather destinations. Visitors who come expecting cozy winter vibes sometimes feel disoriented at first.

How to avoid it: Adjust expectations. Shorts on Christmas, outdoor dinners, and evening walks are normal. Once you accept that, it starts to feel like a feature, not a flaw.

6) Trying to do too much on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve in the Coachella Valley doesn’t have to be a marathon.

While there are late-night parties and ticketed events, many locals and repeat visitors opt for early dinners, sunset celebrations, or smaller gatherings. This comes up often in Reddit threads from people who enjoyed the night more once they stopped chasing midnight chaos.

How to avoid it: Decide what kind of night you actually want. There’s no obligation to go all out, especially when New Year’s Day weather is one of the perks.

More: Our Guide to New Year’s Eve in the Desert 

7) Forgetting that December is prime outdoor season

Some visitors treat December like an indoor month out of habit.

In reality, it’s one of the best times of year to be outside in the Coachella Valley. Hiking, walking neighborhoods, and spending time outdoors are all more enjoyable now than in warmer months.

How to avoid it: Build outdoor time into your plans. Even a short walk or scenic drive can become a highlight of the trip.

8) Thinking every holiday experience needs to be an event

Not everything memorable here requires tickets, schedules, or crowds.

Some of the most consistently recommended experiences from locals involve simple things: walking through decorated neighborhoods, visiting small inns, or spending an early evening outside.

How to avoid it: Balance events with unstructured time. The Coachella Valley shines when you let it.

Do this instead

If you want the short version: slow down, plan a little earlier than you think you need to, and don’t fight the environment.

The holidays in the Coachella Valley work best when you let them be warm, walkable, and a little less rigid than elsewhere.

If you’re looking for experiences that fit that approach, start with our guide to low-key holiday ideas or explore the Walk of the Inns for a tradition that locals genuinely enjoy.